confirm

[kuhn-furm]

verb (used with object)

1. to establish the truth, accuracy, validity, or genuineness of; corroborate; verify.

   This report confirms my suspicions.

   Synonyms: validate, authenticate, substantiate, prove
   Antonyms: disprove

2. to acknowledge with definite assurance.

   Did the hotel confirm our room reservation?

3. to make valid or binding by some formal or legal act; sanction; ratify.

   to confirm a treaty;

   to confirm her appointment to the Supreme Court.

   Antonyms: invalidate

4. to make firm or more firm; add strength to; settle or establish firmly.

   Their support confirmed my determination to run for mayor.

   Synonyms: fix
   Antonyms: shake

5. to strengthen (a person) in habit, resolution, opinion, etc..

   The accident confirmed him in his fear of driving.

6. to administer the religious rite of confirmation to.

confirm

/ kənˈfɜːm /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to prove to be true or valid; corroborate; verify

2. (may take a clause as object) to assert for a second or further time, so as to make more definite

   he confirmed that he would appear in court

3. to strengthen or make more firm

   his story confirmed my doubts

4. to make valid by a formal act or agreement; ratify

5. to administer the rite of confirmation to

Other Word Forms

• confirmable adjective
• confirmability noun
• confirmer noun
• confirmingly adverb
• nonconfirming adjective
• preconfirm verb (used with object)
• reconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirm verb (used with object)
• unconfirmability noun
• confirmatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin confirmāre “to strengthen, confirm” ( con-, firm ¹ ); replacing Middle English confermen, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of confirm¹

C13: from Old French confermer, from Latin confirmāre, from firmus _firm ¹

Example Sentences

In confirming the announcement, Hamas said it would "end the war in Gaza, ensure the complete withdrawal of the occupation forces, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and implement a prisoner exchange".

Read more on BBC

Disneyland officials confirmed Wednesday that the patron required medical treatment and was transported to a hospital, but did not provide further details.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Both Israel and Hamas also confirmed an agreement had been reached.

Read more on BBC

Five months after 10 inmates broke out of a Louisiana jail, the last escapee has been captured, Louisiana State Police confirmed on Wednesday.

Read more on BBC

Court records show Rinderknecht was involved in a lawsuit after a car crash that occurred while he drove for DoorDash, the plaintiff confirmed to The Times.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affirm 
• approve 
• back 
• certify 
• corroborate 
• endorse 
• establish 
• explain 
• sign 
• substantiate 
• support 
• uphold 
• verify